Abstract: A method and apparatus for post-forming an acrylic sheet using radiant heat are disclosed. The heating apparatus includes radiant heating tubes mounted to a frame and positioned in a heating plane. A support platform is also mounted to the frame. A heating area is defined between the heating tubes and the support platform. The heating area is substantially exposed to the atmosphere, allowing unheated air to exchange with the heated air in the heating area. To use the apparatus, combustible gas is ignited and passed through the radiant heating tubes, such that heat radiates from the tubes to the heating area. An acrylic sheet is placed on the support surface such that the unfinished side of the sheet faces the radiant heating tubes. The entire sheet is positioned in the heating area for a selected period of time. The heated sheet is then positioned in a mold until almost cool. At that point, the sheet is removed and allowed to cool completely.

Abstract: A device for mounting a leaf spring to an axle housing of a vehicle, in which a cap device receives the axle housing of the vehicle. A liner is positioned inside the cap to permit rotational movement of the axle housing. A pair of U-bolts is mounted on the cap and extends down from the cap toward the leaf spring. First and second plates engage the U-bolts to present a pair of parallel plates positionable on top and bottom of the leaf spring, respectively. Preferably, the liner is fabricated from a low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene. To prevent aixal movement of the device, stops engage the axle housing. Stabilizing plates maintain the top, first plate generally parallel to the leaf spring and prevent relative movement of the first plate and the U-bolts. Spacers maintain a minimum spacing between the first and second plates on the U-bolts. In a preferred embodiment, a low friction surface is provided on the portion of the plates in contact with the leaf spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for post-forming an acrylic sheet using radiant heat are disclosed. The heating apparatus includes radiant heating tubes mounted to a frame and positioned in a heating plane. A support platform is also mounted to the frame. A heating area is defined between the heating tubes and the support platform. The heating area is substantially exposed to the atmosphere, allowing unheated air to exchange with the heated air in the heating area. To use the apparatus, combustible gas is ignited and passed through the radiant heating tubes, such that heat radiates from the tubes to the heating area. An acrylic sheet is placed on the support surface such that the unfinished side of the sheet faces the radiant heating tubes. The entire sheet is positioned in the heating area for a selected period of time. The heated sheet is then positioned in a mold until almost cool. At that point, the sheet is removed and allowed to cool completely.

Abstract: A molded work glove for providing protection to the hand and fingers of a wearer against cold and abrasion is provided. A hand portion is made of a sheet foam material having a thickness between 1 mm and 5 mm. A hand cavity is disposed in the hand portion and is defined by the sheet foam material. Finger portions are mounted to the periphery of the hand portion and extend outwardly. The finger portions have a palm side and a back side and a tip located distal to the hand portion. The finger portions are made of a sheet foam material having a thickness between 1 mm and 5 mm. Finger cavities are disposed in the finger portions and are defined by the sheet foam material. The sheet foam material is an elastic, nonabsorbent, insulating material. The finger cavity at the tip is sized to loosely fit the finger of the wearer such that a gap is formed between the finger of the wearer and the sheet foam material. At least one aperture is disposed in the palm side at the tip of at least three finger portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotatably mounting a steering wheel to a steering column is provided. A core having a central bore is attached to the steering column. A housing is rotatably mounted to the core. A steering wheel is fixed to the housing. A central shaft extends away from the housing through the bore. A locking assembly is mounted to the housing which can be selectively engaged to the core such that, in an unlocked position, the housing can rotate with respect to the core and, in the locked position, the housing is fixed with respect to the core.An apparatus is provided for mounting a steering wheel to a steering column such that the steering wheel can be selectively disabled. A core is attached to the steering column. A track is located at the periphery of the core. A slot in the core extends from the track. A housing is fixedly attached to the steering wheel and rotatably mounted to the core. A lock assembly is mounted to the core having an end located on the track.

Abstract: A long work bench stored in a folded up package attached by a hinged bracket to the inside surface of a pickup truck tailgate to swing rearwardly while still attached. The work bench includes a central table the length of the tailgate section, a pair of first end table sections attached by hinges to the outer ends of the central section, and a pair of second end table sections attached by hinges to the outer ends of the first end table sections to form a sixteen foot work surface with adjustable height legs that pivot away when stored against the tailgate.

Abstract: A method of playing casino blackjack is provided where players receive a card point total equaling the point value of numbered cards, ten points for face cards and one or eleven points for aces. Players and a dealer are positioned in an order at a table. Each player, in turn, is offered the role of banker until a first player accepts. A wager is provided by each player, excluding the banker. Initial two-card blackjack hands are dealt by the dealer to the players, including the banker and excluding the dealer, in order starting from a player adjacent to the banker. Each player is allowed to receive additional cards from the dealer, at the player's option or until the player exceeds a card point total of twenty-one, starting from the player adjacent to the banker. The banker collects the wagers of any player receiving a card point total over twenty one.

Abstract: A utility knife having replaceable blades is provided having a handle with an exterior surface and an interior. A slide member is slidingly mounted in the interior of the handle. A blade is removably mounted to the slide member such that, in a first position, the blade is contained completely within the handle and, in a second position, the blade extends partially out of the handle. A shell is hinged to the handle at the exterior surface. The shell includes a central cavity shaped to receive replacement blades. Further, a utility knife having replaceable blades is provided having a handle with a first casing and a second casing. A hinge member is mounted to the first bottom edge and the second bottom edge such that the first casing can be rotated with respect to the second casing from a closed position to an open position. A slide beam is slidingly mounted on the first casing. A blade is removably attached to the front end of the slide beam.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines the accuracy and speed of a thrown ball, catches the ball and throws the ball back to a source is provided that a housing with a front opening covered by tension adjustable vertical flexible strips with a ramp inclined downwardly to the front with a door closeable opening with a ball throwing device behind the ramp opening. Behind the strips is a hanging target pad with jiggle sensors on the pad and on the ramp sensing a ball hit, the sensors electrically connected to controller to record and display the count and the ball speed. A lever adjusts the distance between to spinning wheels of the ball return to adjust for ball size and pitching distance.

Abstract: A temporary manhole cover constructed of glass fiber reinforced resin grate fits into the standard manhole opening is strong enough to support a motor vehicle and light enough to be lifted out from below or above and also includes a cut out to the edge for pipes, tubing, and wires to be trained through the opening down the manhole.

Abstract: An eyeglass strap retainer device is constructed of a cord with both terminal sections being formed into loops secured by a metal clasp. Each loop is threaded inside a resilient helical compression spring which is secured in place with the terminal end of the compression spring proximate the terminal end of the loop requiring that the spring be compressed when attached over a temple leg of a pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: A shock absorbing linkage apparatus is provided on a motor vehicle such as a motorcycle including a U-shaped member with the free ends connected to the axle and the base section connected to the frame. An integral linkage member pivotally connects to the front of the swingarm member extending downwardly to connect with the shock absorber. Two rearward connection points on the integral member are connected to anchor arm members which connect to upper connection points on the frame. The shock absorber is positioned horiztonally extending rearwardly from a lower connection to the frame.

Abstract: A modified football helmet has an inner cap attached by elastic straps to the inside of the helmet shell providing a space above the cap. The helmet is further modified incorporating a rigid collar extending outwardly from the bottom of the helmet which has a lower surface positioned a distance above two upright post members extending upwardly from the rigid shoulder pads.

Abstract: A point of sale printer ink cartridge includes a mobius loop endless ribbon with at least two ply of woven twisted nylon fabric sealed along lengthwise edges with or without a third ink absorbing layer interposed between the two ply of nylon yielding synergistic ink capacity increases, long print life, long ribbon durability, and increased butt weld strength of the ends of the ribbon.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the use of extraction discs used in analysis of water impurities includes a cylindrical body with a top cavity to receive the extraction disc with a threaded ring holder to hold an open bottom container sealed on the extraction disc with a valve to selectively channel flow from the extraction disc into three downward passages, two of which open through the bottom into wash and elute sample containers and a third to a tube that opens into a large collection container sealably attached to the bottom of the body around the smaller containers with a vacuum passage through the bottom of the body into the large container controlled by a valve. The body has two parallel slots On opposite sides of the body to engage into cut outs of a rack panel supported above a housing with a slanted top wall with elliptical holes cut to receive the collection container and support it sticking out of the housing.

Abstract: Depth matting in the form of rigid thermoplastic foam bevel board is cut with a device to form a forty-five degree angled surface on one end facing away from a front surface of the bevel board which has a lengthwise edge forty-five degree angle bevel face used to provide depth between standard mats and the framed picture. A cutting device is provided holding the bevel board on its edge against a vertical wall with a vertical slot through which a knife edge is forced downwardly through the slot and the bevel board. The beveled surface on the end of the cut bevel board panel is abutted against the lengthwise edge beveled surface of the adjoining bevel board panel at each corner of the standard mat and attached to the rear surface of that mat.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for molding parallel waves extending outwardly from the person's scalp. The device includes a band attached tightly around the person's head with a plurality of flexible members attached and extending from one side of the person's head over the hair to the other side of the head and attached to the band wherein the flexible members are held tightly against the person's hair that is combed rearwardly from the forehead hair line. The flexible members are pushed downwardly against the hair and forwardly back toward the hair line forming a wave in front of each member.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the use of extraction discs used in analysis of water impurities includes a cylindrical body with a top cavity to receive the extraction disc with a threaded ring holder to hold an open bottom container sealed on the extraction disc with a valve to selectively channel flow from the extraction disc into three downward passages, two of which open through the bottom into wash and elute sample containers and a third to a tube that opens into a large collection container sealably attached to the bottom of the body around the smaller containers with a vacuum passage through the bottom of the body into the large container controlled by a valve. The body has two parallel slots on opposite sides of the body to engage into cut outs of a rack panel supported above a housing with a slanted top wall with elliptical holes cut to receive the collection container and support it sticking out of the housing.